Armenia considers presence of extraterritorial corridors in region unacceptable; Iran supports principle of territorial integrity – Armenian ambassador

YEREVAN, October 21. /ARKA/. Armenia considers the existence of any extraterritorial corridor unacceptable, stated Armenian Ambassador to Iran Arsen Avakyan.

"We emphasize that any communications must be under the sovereignty and jurisdiction of the given country and operate on the basis of the principles of equality and reciprocity. This is the position expressed through the "Crossroads of Peace" program. We emphasize that these considerations regarding Armenia were not only fully understood in Iran, but that public statements continue to be made from Tehran at the highest level, stressing the need for unconditional respect for Armenia's territorial integrity and the inviolability of its borders," Avakyan noted in an interview with the Iranian news agency "ISNA". 

According to him, Armenia is ready to fully guarantee the safety of goods, vehicles and movement of people on its territory. 

"Official Yerevan has also repeatedly stated that it is ready to ensure communication between Azerbaijan and Nakhichevan precisely on the terms provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Let me also mention the speech of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, during which he emphasized that all the statements that Armenia has agreed on anywhere in any document that third forces ensure the security of communication on its territory are simply a distortion of reality," Avakyan said. 

Answering the question raised by the Azerbaijani side about the so-called “Zangezur corridor”, the ambassador stated that one of the important guarantees for establishing peace and stability in the region is the unblocking of transport and economic infrastructure, which is one of the priorities of the Armenian government. 

Avakyan also touched upon the proposal to consider the “Aras Communication Road” as an alternative and replacement for the so-called “Zangezur Corridor”. He again alluded to the “Crossroads of Peace” project presented by Armenian government, aimed at unblocking economic communications, increasing the transit potential of the countries in the region, as well as creating new ties and establishing long-term and stable peace. -0-